Bloomfield (NJ) High School Teacher and Coach Sentenced to 7 Years Prison for Sexual Abuse of Multiple Students.

Leo Donaldson — a former teacher and track coach at Bloomfield High School in Essex County, New Jersey — has been sentenced to seven years in state prison for sexually assaulting students.  (Donaldson has also been known as “Leo Inglima” in the past.)

Donaldson (30) was arrested in October of 2016 on criminal charges related to the sexual assault of two Bloomfield High School students.  His arrest was undertaken by members Special Victims Unit of the of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, according to media reports.

Donaldson coached track and cross-country at Bloomfield High School, where he also taught architecture.  All indications are that Donaldson used his position of trust and authority as at teacher to identify, groom, and sexually abuse students.

The criminal charges alleged that Donaldson sexually abused and exploited two teenage boys at various locations, including inside the classroom at Bloomfield High School.  The abuse was severe – including oral sex and anal penetration (according to media reports).  The criminal charges against Leo Donaldson included various counts of sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

Donaldson served in leadership positions over youth within other community organizations – including as a youth minister and parish cantor at St. Francis of Assisi American National Catholic Church in Glen Ridge, New Jersey.

While Donaldson initially pleaded not guilty, the former teacher and running coached eventually accepted a plea deal.  Leo Donaldson pleaded guilty to multiple counts related to his sexual abuse of students.  Donaldson’s co-defendant (his husband, Bradley) had been indicted for endangering the welfare of a child according to media reports, but those charges were dropped.

At his sentencing on July 30, 2018, one of Donaldson’s student-victims testified that Donaldson gained the boy’s trust, but then threatened to kick the boy off the track team if he didn’t submit to sexual abuse by Donaldson.

As a part of his guilty plea deal, Donaldson was required to publicly admit his guilt for specific criminal acts.  This included Donaldson admitting to sexual abuse of students in his classroom, according to media reports.

Donaldson was ultimately sentenced to 7 years in prison.  Donaldson will also be required to submit his DNA, register as a sex offender, and will be under parole supervision for life. Donaldson is also barred from holding no public employment and cannot have contact with his victims.

To read more about this story, please see the following articles:

1. https://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2018/07/bloomfield_teacher_leo_donaldson_sentenced_to_7_ye.html
2. https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/crime/2018/07/31/ex-bloomfield-nj-teacher-sentenced-seven-years-sexual-assault/877153002/
3. https://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/10/nj_teacher_accused_of_sexually_assaulting_boys_is.html
4. https://essexnewsdaily.com/headlne-news/57142
5. https://pix11.com/2016/10/27/bloomfield-high-school-teacher-charged-with-sexually-assaulting-students/

Crew Janci has represented over 100 victims in civil cases involving sexual abuse by adults in positions of trust, including in New Jersey.  Crew Janci recently represented 21 victims of sexual abuse against The Pingry School, and is representing victims of sexual abuse in New Jersey Boy Scout troops.

If you or someone you care about has information about sexual abuse at Bloomfield High School or at other schools in New Jersey, contact Crew Janci today for a free confidential consultation to learn more about your rights by calling 1-888-407-0224.

We believe you.  You are not alone.  We are here to help.